They’re executives, philanthropists and educators. They’re wives, mothers and role models – and they are quite literally “outstanding.”

They hail from all walks of life – from advocating for abused and neglected animals, to educating teenagers and young adults – and this year’s Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky all share a deep desire to give of their time, talents and selves to make their community a better place.

“The women we honor today, through their collective works, show that the women of Northern Kentucky accept no limits to what they can achieve – and they have achieved much,” said Sara Sidebottom, general counsel at Northern Kentucky University and a past honoree.

Hearing their stories at Thursday’s award luncheon, I was moved by how each of the honorees gives so selflessly of her time and energy to a cause, issue or vocation.

Sister Margaret Stallmeyer has devoted her life to the spiritual and educational guidance of young people, first as a science and math teacher at Our Lady of Divine Providence girls’ academy, then assistant principal at Newport Central Catholic High School, and most recently as president of Thomas More College.

Upon receiving the Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Award Thursday, she offered the following wise words: “As I accept this award with gratitude and deep humility, I do so for each one of us out here; all of us achievers, for whom we have wonderful opportunities each day. I encourage each of us to make the most of them.”

Each of this year’s Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky honorees has done just that.

Financial planner Barb Moran Johnson has a full-time job, but for nearly two decades she has also given countless hours to volunteering for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Yearlings and Senior Services of Northern Kentucky. “I’m kind of a volunteer junkie, I guess,” she joked. “You want to volunteer and give of your time and talents because you like the cause, and you want to give back to your community, but you don’t realize that you’re going to get so many benefits back in return.”

For Rachael Winters of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, it’s a true calling. Her first day in social work involved a visit to the banks of the Ohio River, where she was shocked to see the region’s homelessness problem up close. She has devoted every day since to combating that problem.

Janet Roessler Scanlon also works to give a voice to those who don’t have one, though in her case they’re of the four-legged variety. As a longtime volunteer for the animal shelters in Kenton and Pendleton counties, she has rescued countless lost, abused, injured and abandoned animals and is an advocate for habitat and land preservation issues.

And Campbell Chief District Judge Karen Thomas has turned her love of the law into a way to spotlight and combat larger problems in the community, leading the charge on mental health, drug and juvenile justice issues. Thomas gives tirelessly of what little free time she has to those and other causes, as well as to teaching at her alma mater, NKU’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

When you hear Dale Silver’s list of achievements, you wonder how she has any time to sleep: she volunteers for the Chamber, Hoxworth Blood Center, the Steinford Toy Foundation, United Way, and numerous other groups in addition to her full-time job as a sales executive.

And Mary Bunning, known in some circles as the region’s unofficial “First Lady,” is a shining example that family, work and service are not mutually exclusive. The matriarch of a clan of nine children, 35 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren,

Bunning is also an accomplished artist and well-known philanthropist, achievements honored Thursday with the Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award.

I can’t imagine the kind of dedication (and energy!) it takes to do what these women do. But they make it look not only doable, but easy and fun. And for each one, it’s about something much larger than themselves. ⬛

I am an Enquirer columnist offering a deeper perspective on stories that are important in Northern Kentucky. Email avbnky@nky.com.